2004 Hyundai Santa FE
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Suspension is the leading concern among 303 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 9th highest complaint count among 25 Santa FE model years with reports.
Of the 2004 reports, 32 involved a crash and 7 involved a fire. 35 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Suspension, front, springs, coil springsJul 18, 2014
Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model Year 2001-2006 Santa Fe vehicles manufactured from March 31, 2000, through February 15, 2006, that are registered and operated, or which were originally sold and registered, in the following 20 salt belt" states and the District of Columbia: Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. The affected vehicles may experience front coil spring corrosion from road salt, causing the coil spring to fracture and make contact with the tire.
If the front coil spring fractures due to corrosion it could cause the coil spring to make contact with the tire, possibly puncturing the tire and increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and if necessary replace the coil spring, free of charge. The recall began on October 24, 2014. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 124.
Campaign 14V435000 on NHTSA.gov
Service brakes, hydraulic, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, control unit/moduleMar 16, 2004
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 3.5 LITER V-6 ENGINES, 4-WHEEL DRIVE AND ANTILOCK BRAKING SYSTEMS (ABS), IF THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 3 AND 12 MPH WHEN THE BRAKE PAD FRICTION SURFACES ARE WET, A VIBRATION MAY OCCUR BETWEEN THE BRAKE DISCS AND PADS CAUSING ABS SENSOR ELECTRONIC SIGNAL NOISE TO DEVELOP. AT SPEEDS BELOW 5 MPH, THE ABS SENSOR SIGNAL NOISE MAY CAUSE THE ABS ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT (ECU) TO ACTIVATE THE ABS, EXTENDING THE STOPPING DISTANCE.
IF AN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE OCCURS, IT COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE ABS ECU. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON MARCH 24, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT HYUNDAI AT 1-800-633-5151.
Campaign 04V131000 on NHTSA.gov
Equipment, other, labelsDec 18, 2003
CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 120, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES OTHER THAN PASSENGER CARS."
THE TIRE PRESSURE LABELS DO NOT CONTAIN THE INFORMATION REQUIRED BY THE STANDARD.
OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH A CORRECT LABEL AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON OCTOBER 29, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT HYUNDAI AT 1-800-633-5151.
Campaign 03V520000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints
303 reports, newest first.
Engine, Apr 2, 2018
2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ENGINE SURGING ISSUE. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR 2 TO 4 TIMES PER MONTH. THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. *JS
Air bags, Seat belts, Mar 29, 2018, crash
I WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WHILE DRIVING DOWN A CITY STREET IN PLANO, TEXAS. A TRUCK PULLED OUT TO GET INTO THE MIDDLE LANE AND WAS CAUGHT OFF AND FORCED TO PULL INTO MY LANE DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF ME. MY BRAKES LOCKED UP AFTER TRYING TO STOP, WHICH ISN'T A PROBLEM BECAUSE I KNOW IT IS NORMAL. WHAT OCCURRED WAS THAT AS I STRUCK THE TRUCK IN FRONT OF ME, MY AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY, AND MY SEAT BELT HAD FAILED TO LOCK. WHICH CAUSED ME TO COLLIDE WITH THE STEERING WHEEL. THE SPEED I STRUCK THE TRUCK, WHICH WAS GOING ABOUT 10 MPH WHEN WE COLLIDED, WAS ABOUT 45 MPH.
Exterior lighting, Air bags, Jan 8, 2018
AIR BAG LIGHT ON NOISE WHEN I START CAR
Suspension, Dec 29, 2017
I GOT A LETTER BY MAIL SAING MY CAR HAS A RECALL FOR * COIL SPRING FRACTURE* AND I HAD TO TAKE IT TO CHECK IT OR REPAIR IN CASE IT NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. I WONDER IF THIS WILL HAVE A COST FOR ME OR I NEED TO WAIT TILLL THIS IS FRACTURED? THANKS IN ADVANCED FOR YOUR HELP
Air bags, Structure, Nov 15, 2017, crash
I WAS IN A SERIOUS CAR ACCIDENT BACK IN DECEMBER 7, 2005 WITH MY 2004 HYUNDIA SANTE FE. THE CAR WAS TOTALED AND SCRAPPED THUS I DO NOT HAVE THE VIN NUMBER HANDY. I DO STILL HAVE THE PAPERWORK FROM THE HOSPITAL AND THE PERSONAL INJURY LAWYER. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. I WAS THE ONLY PERSON IN THE VEHICLE. I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK ON MY USUAL ROUTE ON EASTON AVENUE. I'M TOLD (REPORTS FROM WITNESSESS) A YOUNG GIRL CAME OUT OF A SIDE STREET AND HIT ME IN THE REAR DRIVERS SIDE WHICH IN TURN SPUN MY CAR INTO 2 OTHER VEHICHLES ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE ROAD I WAS TRAVELLING DOWN. AS STATED EARLIER I HAVE LITTLE RECALL SINCE THE IMPACT KNOCKED ME UNCONSCIOUS. I SUFFERED A BROKEN NOSE (SCAR STILL THERE) AND TORN LEFT SHOULDER- WHICH STILL BOTHER ME DAILY. I WAS HIT BLINDSIDE AND SPIN INTO 2 OTHER VEHICLES- KNOCKED UNCONSCIOUS. I STILL SUFFER NIGHTMARES RESULTING FROM THIS ACCIDENT AND AM CURRENTLY SEEING A COUNSELOR SPECILIZING IN TRAUMA AND PTSD.
Service brakes, Aug 4, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED, THE BRAKE PEDAL VIBRATED AND MADE AN ABNORMAL SOUND. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE STOPPING DISTANCE WAS EXTENDED AND NEARLY STRUCK ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT SEARCHED ONLINE FOR RECALLS AND FOUND NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V131000 (SERVICE BRAKES). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL NOTIFICATION. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR HIS VIN AND RECOMMENDED THAT THE CONTACT CALL HIS LOCAL DEALER. THE CONTACT CALLED THE LOCAL DEALER (SCHIMMER FORD LINCOLN HYUNDAI OF PERU, 911 SHOOTING PARK RD, PERU, IL, 61354, 815-224-4500) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NO OPEN RECALL ON THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER ALSO STATED THAT UNLESS THE MANUFACTURER WAS GOING TO REIMBURSE THEIR SERVICES, NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WOULD BE PROVIDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 179,000.
Structure, Aug 1, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. AFTER TAKING THE VEHICLE TO THE ISLAND HYUNDAI DEALER TO BE REPAIRED PER AN UNKNOWN RECALL, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE SUBFRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 91,000.
Power train, Mar 2, 2017
WHEN YOU FIRST START THE CAR.THEN YOU PUT IT IN DRIVE .THE CAR JERKS A BIT BEFORE SMOOTHING OUT.
Fuel system, Gasoline, Service brakes, Feb 1, 2017
BROUGHT VEHICLE IN TO SHOP FOR FRONT END NOISE. FOUND NEEDED FRONT BRAKES, PADS, ROTOR, CALIPER. REPAIRED THE ITEMS.THE SHOP ALSO NOTICED AND STATED "HAS A FUEL LEAK AT THE TANK (SHOULD BE A RECALL"). I DON'T FIND ANY RECALL HERE. ANY SUGGESTIONS? I'M NOT MAKING A COMPLAINT, JUST NEED TO KNOW IF THIS IS A RECALL. THANK YOU. *TR
Seat belts, Electronic stability control (ESC), Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 28, 2017
CATALYST CONVERTER CALIFORNIA
Suspension, Air bags, Fuel/propulsion system, Dec 13, 2016
IT DON'T WORK RITE WHEN I LET THE CAR WARM UP AND THEN PUT MY FEET ON THE BRAKES IT SOUND LIKE IT DON'T WANTED TO GIVE GAS I SMELL GAS BUT I DON'T SEE ANY ON THE GROUND THE END TAKE IS ALL MESS UP THE AIR BAGS DO NOT GO OFF IT STAY ON AND I KEEP EVERYTHING UP TO THE CAR JUST DON'T ACT RITE
Air bags, Dec 11, 2016
AIR BAG LIGHT STAY ON CONSTANTLY, AND DON'T GO OFF. I WAS RIDING AND LIGHT POP ON AND STAY ON.
Air bags, Dec 5, 2016
WHILE DRIVING ON A STRAIGHT STRETCH OF HIGHWAY, THE DRIVER'S SIDE (LEFT SIDE) SIDE IMPACT AIRBAG DEPLOYED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. *TR
Air bags, Nov 28, 2016
TODAY, 11/2816, RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG "DEPLOYED" FOR NO REASON. DRIVING AT ABOUT 55 MPH. NO IMPACT OR COLLISION. SEAT RIPPED OPEN. *TR
Fuel/propulsion system, Nov 14, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED OR BEING DRIVEN, THERE WAS A STRONG FUEL ODOR COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THERE WAS FUEL LEAKING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC STATED THAT FUEL WAS LEAKING FROM THE SEAM OF THE FUEL TANK AND THE FUEL TANK NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 138,900.
Suspension, Nov 1, 2016
2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. CONSUMER REQUESTS REIMBURSEMENT FOR COIL SPRINGS RECALL REPAIRS. *SMD
Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 23, 2016
MY SANTA FE STAY OVER NITE, INSIDE MY GARAGE AND I NOTICE VERY STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE EVERY TIME I OPEN MY GARAGE AND AFTER I LOOK UNDER, I SPOT A DROP OF GASOLINE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE BETWEEN A PLASTIC COVER AND THE FUEL TANK, WHILE IS PARK OVER NITE, WHILE I AM DRIVING I AM AFRAID THAT SOMETHING HAPPEN, LIKE PEOPLE THROWING CIGARETTE BUT AND CUT MY CAR ON FLAME. AFTER I READ OTHER PEOPLE RECENT COMPLAINTS I DECIDE TO STOP USING MY SANTA FE, I THINK THIS IS A DEFECT FROM HYUNDAI TO CREATE A FUEL TANK THAT HOLDS WATER AND SALT BETWEEN THE TANK AND THE COVER. *TR
Air bags, Sep 15, 2016, crash
WAS ON HIGHWAY TRAVELING AT POSTED SPEED OF 70MPH WHEN WE WERE HIT FROM BEHIND BY A DUI DRIVER. THIS MADE MY CAR GO INTO A SPIN AND ROLLOVER 4 TIMES. NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. CAR IS TOTAL LOSS. I RECEIVED DISLOCATION OF MY COLLARBONE THAT NEEDED EMERGENCY SURGERY, CONCUSSION, FRACTURED NOSE, LACERATIONS TO HEAD AND FACE, KNEE AND HIP INJURY.
Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 4, 2016
WHEN CAR PARKED SMELL OF GASOLINE, LOOKED UNDER CAR ON DRIVE SIDE OF TANK HAS TINY DROP OFF FUEL COME FROM PLASTIC COVER OF TANK AND A DROP ON GROUND LOOKS IT WAS SPREAD BY CONTINUOUS SLOW WEEPING WHEN PARKED, DRAW FOR A WHILE CAME BACK PARKED WENT BACK AND CHECK UNDER SAME SPOT TINY DROP ON GROUND COMING FROM PLASTIC COVER DRAIN HOLE, DID NOT SEEM LOOSE MUCH GAS, PARK OVER WEEKEND FOUND DRIP SMELL AND THE DRY SPOT SEEMED ABOUT ONE FOOT IN DIAMETER AND STRONG ODOR WHEN GO NEAR BACK OF CAR, NOTICED THIS AT PARKED VEHICLE, OVER NIGHT PARKED THE SPOT IS ABOUT 6 INCHES DRIED WET ABOUT 1 INCH EVERY DAY LAST FEW WEEKS. FUEL SMELL NOTICED ALL THE TIME MAY BE 6 SIX MONTHS NOW DID NOT KNOW WHERE OR WHOSE CAR IT WAS COMING, WHEN LOOKED UNDER ON DRIVER SIDE BEFORE REAR WHEEL ABOUT 1 FOOT INWARD SAW A WET SPOT ABOUT 1 INCH, DRAW BACK CHECKED IT WAS GAS SPOT AROUND DRIED IMPRESSION WAS ABOUT FOOT THIS WAS IN MORNING AFTER OVER NIGHT PARKING, I OPEN ACCESS UNDER THE REAR DRIVER SIDE OF SEAT CAN NOT FIND ANY LEAK FROM FUEL PUMP OR TUBES I AM GOING TO CHECK ON OTHER ACCESS HOLE BUT THAT IS ON PASSENGER SIDE, LEAK IS UNDER DRIVER SIDE OF THE TANK PLASTIC COVER DRAIN HOLE.
Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 26, 2016
COMPLAINT HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA HAS ADMITTED DESIGN/PRODUCT DEFECTS WITH SIX YEARS (2001-06) OF THEIR SANTA FE FUEL TANKS VIA AN EXTENDED WARRANTY NOTIFICATION ISSUED 2016/Q1. THIS COMPLAINT CONCERNS HYUNDAI'S PRODUCT LIABILITY AND WARRANTY, WITH UNDERSTANDING PRECEDENT HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED WITH OTHER HYUNDAI PRODUCT DEFECTS AND RECALL/WARRANTY RESOLUTIONS VIA THE FRONT SPRING COIL CORROSION RECALL IN 'SALT BELT STATES'. DESIRED RESOLUTION HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA TO PROVIDE WARRANTY COVERAGE FOR MY SPECIFIC VEHICLE PER SCOPE DESCRIBED WITHIN THE EXTENDED WARRANTY NOTIFICATION. I WOULD SIMPLY LIKE TO HAVE EXTENDED WARRANTY SERVICE COMPLETED AT MY LOCAL HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP.
Service brakes, Aug 12, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER AND ATTEMPTING TO ENGAGE THE BRAKES, THE ABS AND POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE BRAKES MALFUNCTIONED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT BRAKES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V131000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Air bags, Aug 8, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE FRONT AIR BAG DEPLOYED FROM THE SEAT WITHOUT WARNING OR IMPACT. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED INJURIES TO THE CHEST, ARM, HIP, RIB, AND HEAD THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 133,294.
Air bags, Jul 26, 2016
TAKATA RECALL. JUST PRIOR TO A HYUNDAI RECALL IN 5/3/16 FOR A DEFECTIVE GAS TANK, MY "AIR BAG" LIGHT WENT OFF. LET ME BACK TRACK . IN 5/16, MY CAR BEGAN LEAKING GAS UNDERNEATH. SO BADLY, THAT ONE DAY WHILE PASSING THE FIRE/POLICE STATION IN NORFOLK, MA THE FIRE CHIEF AND HIS CREW BEGAN PURSUING ME. STOPPING ME IN MY DRIVEWAY, I WAS TOLD ABOUT THE LEAK AND WAS TOLD I WOULD HAVE TO SURRENDER MY CAR, IT WAS A "SAFETY HAZARD TO (ALL)." I PRESENTED A AAA MEMBERSHIP CARD. THE CHIEF HIMSELF CALLED AND ARRANGED A TOW TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP. AFTER 2 DAYS, I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM HYUNDAI CORPORATION STATING THAT MY "GAS TANK WAS FAULTY" AND WAS SUBJECT TO A "RECALL". IMAGINE THE TIMING ON THAT? THE NATIONAL OFFICE OF HYUNDAI SOUNDED JUST GREAT ON THE PHONE. BUT WHEN MY MECHANIC SAID HE WOULD NOT TOUCH THE CAR FOR FEAR OF COMPLICATING THE WARRANTY, NO ONE INCLUDING HYUNDAI WOULD SEND ANYONE TO TOW THE CAR. AT MY PERSONAL PERIL, I DROVE TO THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP. AS I APPROACHED THE RECEPTION AREA, ALL REMAINING GAS GUSHED OUT OF MY CAR. I WAS GIVEN A BEAUTIFUL CURRENT HYUNDAI TO DRIVE AS A LOANER CAR; I NEEDED THAT CAR FOR 2 MONTHS. WHEN THE DEALERSHIP CALLED TO TELL ME MY CAR WAS "READY", THEIR ADVISOR ISSUED 2 PAGES OF PROBLEMS ALLEGEDLY EXISTING AND TRIED TO SELL ME A NEW CAR. I HAVE SINCE HAD SOMEONE ELSE LOOK AT MY CAR; NONE OF THOSE PROBLEMS EXIST. WHEN I PICKED UP MY CAR FROM THE DEALER, I ALSO ASKED THEIR ADVISOR "WHY HYUNDAI HADN'T FIXED THE AIR BAG LIGHT?" OVER THE 2 MTHS THEY HAD MY CAR. I WAS TOLD THAT "HYUNDAI DIDN'T USE TAKATA AIR BAGS." HOWEVER, NUMEROUS FRIENDS OF MINE DRIVING OTHER MODELS OF HYUNDAI HAVE RECEIVED RECALLS CITING THE "TAKATA AIRBAG RECALL." MY PASSENGER AIR BAG IS DEFECTIVE. THE DEALER TOLD ME "THE BAG ALONE WOULD COST $800. BUY A NEW CAR!" WHAT IS GOING ON HERE?
Visibility/wiper, Jul 12, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING AND MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD EXPLOSIVE NOISE. THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR WINDOW SHATTERED INTO PIECES WITHOUT IMPACT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A GLASS REPAIR CENTER WHERE THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,248. UPDATED 09/06/16*LJ *TR
Suspension, Jun 7, 2016
I RESPONDED TO HYUNDAI'S RECALL EMAIL AND WHEN I TRIED TO SIGN UP TO HAVE MY VEHICLE'S ISSUES RESOLVED AND SCHEDULE ELECTRONICALLY I COULD NOT DO SO UNLESS I AGREED TO ALSO SCHEDULE A RECOMMENDED SERVICE SUCH AS AN OIL CHANGE. THE SITE I WAS SENT TO IS HTTPS://AUTOSERVICE.HYUNDAIUSA.COM/CAMPAIGN124/MICROSITETEMPLATE/MICROSITETEMPLATEVINVALIDATE/1424